appendix g aboriginal cultural heritage assessment

182 Pages·2013·7.99 MB·English

APPENDIX G
ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE
ASSESSMENT
COWAL GOLD MINE EXTENSION MODIFICATION
Cowal Gold Mine Extension Modification

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment

Report

Report to Barrick (Cowal) Limited

August 2013

Local Government Area: Bland/Forbes
Nearest Town: West Wyalong
Author: Dr Colin Pardoe

COLIN PARDOE BIO-ANTHROPOLOGY & ARCHAEOLOGY

16 Hackett Gardens

Turner ACT 2612

Phone: [phone]

Mobile:[phone]

Email:[email protected]
Executive Summary

Bio-Anthropology and Archaeology (Dr Colin Pardoe) has been engaged by Barrick (Cowal) Limited
(Barrick) to prepare an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (ACHA) for the Cowal Gold Mine
(CGM) Extension Modification (the Modification).

The purpose of this document is to identify the presence and significance of Aboriginal cultural
heritage and the Modification’s potential impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage.

The Modification would involve some additional surface development within Mining Lease 1535 and
a new pump station to the east of Lake Cowal (herein referred to as the Modification area).

The requirements for the ACHA are to:

•
identify and consult with registered Aboriginal stakeholders;
•
determine the location and significance of Aboriginal heritage sites and places within the
Modification area;
•
determine cultural significance of the Modification area by integrating the results of previous
studies, the archaeological assessment and consultation with relevant Aboriginal stakeholders;
and
•
provide advice on mitigation of sites, features or objects should the Modification proceed.

The ACHA was conducted, as applicable, in accordance with and/or following consideration of the
relevant requirements of the various regulatory guidelines, including the following:

• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents 2010 (Part 6 National
Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974).
• Due Diligence Code of Practice for Archaeological Investigation of Aboriginal Objects in New
South Wales.
• Guide to Investigating, Assessing and Reporting on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in NSW.
• Draft Guidelines for Aboriginal Cultural Impact Assessment and Community Consultation.
•
The Australia International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Burra Charter.
• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage: Standards and Guidelines Kit.
• Ask First; A Guide to Respecting Indigenous Heritage Places and Values.
• NSW Minerals Industry Due Diligence Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects.

The following individuals and/or groups registered an interest with Barrick in the community
consultation process for the Modification:

•
Beverly Johnson;
•
Condobolin Local Aboriginal Land Council;
•
Enid Clarke;
•
Ernie Johnson;
•
Isabelle Collins nee Johnson;
•
Jirrah Freeman;
•
Keith Freeman;
Cowal Gold Mine Extension Modification ES-1
•
Neville Williams;
•
Norma Freeman;
•
Sharon Williams;
•
Shawn Williams;
•
Stuart Cutmore;
•
Wayne Williams;
•
West Wyalong Local Aboriginal Land Council;
•
Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation; and
•
Wiradjuri Interim Working Party.

In addition, three individuals (i.e. Judy Johnson, Cindy Fuller and Janine Thompson) contacted Barrick
with an interest in the Modification ACHA after the closing date for registrations. These individuals
were included in the consultation process for the Modification ACHA as additional interested
stakeholders.

The CGM and surrounding areas have been subject to a number of archaeological surveys, as well
as the implementation of various heritage management and mitigation measures in accordance with
the existing permits and consents.

Based on the results from previous surveys, three registered Aboriginal heritage sites (sites B
[43-4-0021], C [43-4-0022] and E [43-4-0024]) and the Wamboyne Back Plains Site 1 (43-4-0044) are
located within the Modification area. Other objects have also been previously recorded and collected
from within the Modification area during previous cultural heritage assessments and surveys, however
these objects represent a component of the regional background distribution rather than individual
sites.

A survey of the Modification area was undertaken on Tuesday 30 April to Friday 3 May 2013. During
this survey, the previously recorded sites were inspected along with pedestrian survey of the
remainder of the Modification area, including the existing water pipeline alignment to determine the
location of the pump station. The distribution of artefactual materials recorded during the 30 April to
3 May 2013 survey was similar to previous surveys undertaken at the CGM.

The Cowal Gold Mine Indigenous Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Management Plan sets out the
salvage, excavation, monitoring and other management measures for each of the registered sites
and other Aboriginal objects within the CGM area (i.e. previously approved disturbance areas) in
accordance with the existing permits and consents.

Management and mitigation measures currently employed at the CGM include the following:

•
Protocols for recording, salvaging, excavating and/or managing Aboriginal objects and potential
archaeological deposits within the CGM area.
•
Pre-clearance surveys for CGM surface development areas.
•
Protocols in the event of identification of new Aboriginal heritage finds.
•
Measures to be implemented in the event of discovery of human skeletal remains.
•
Maintenance of the CGM master inventory.
•
Reporting and communication protocols.
•
Procedures for ongoing consultation and participation in the conservation and management of
Aboriginal cultural heritage at the CGM.

Cowal Gold Mine Extension Modification ES-2
It is recommended that the existing management measures currently employed at the CGM continue
to be implemented for the Modification.

Specific management measures for registered sites B, C and E, and Wamboyne Back Plains
Site 1, as well as other artefactual objects within the Modification area were discussed throughout
the consultation process.

The location of the pump station would be designed to avoid impacts to the identified artefactual
material.

Following inspection of registered sites B, C, D, E, H and the Wamboyne Back Plains Sites 1
(43-4-0044) and 2 (43-4-0045), it is recommended that a representative sample of Aboriginal
objects would be salvaged and collected. A soil sample from all identifiable in situ ground ovens
is also recommended to be collected. Radiocarbon dates should be taken from a sample of the
impacted ovens. Residue analysis should be carried out on a sample of grinding implements.

The existing monitoring process (including surface and subsurface survey) should be applied to the
remainder of the Modification area, including Wamboyne Back Plains Site 1.

Cowal Gold Mine Extension Modification ES-3
Table of Contents

Section Page

1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 COWAL GOLD MINE 1
1.2 MODIFICATION SUMMARY 5
1.3 THE MODIFICATION AREA 8
1.4 KEY LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS 8
1.5 STUDY OBJECTIVES 9
2 CONSULTATION 11
2.1 ADVICE FROM APPROPRIATE ORGANISATIONS 12
2.2 ADVERTISEMENTS 12
2.3 NOTIFICATION AND INVITATION TO REGISTER AN INTEREST 13
2.4 LIST OF REGISTERED ABORIGINAL PARTIES 13
2.5 PROPOSED METHODOLOGY 14
2.6 PRESENTATION OF MODIFICATION INFORMATION 14
2.7 FIELD SURVEY AND ATTENDANCE 15
2.8 GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE 16
2.9 CONSIDERATION OF COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING THE ACHA 16
2.9.1 Comments Received on the Proposed Methodology 16
2.9.2 General Comments Received During the Survey 21
2.9.3 Comments Received on Draft Report 23
2.9.3.1 Comments Received Within Response Period 23
2.9.3.2 Comments Received Outside of Response Period 25
3 ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT 27
3.1 CLIMATE 27
3.2 LANDFORMS 27
3.3 ECOSYSTEMS 27
3.4 WATER 28
3.5 MICRO – ENVIRONMENTS 30
3.5.1 Lake Bed 30
3.5.2 Ephemeral Creeks and Drainage Lines 30
3.5.3 Beach 31
3.5.4 Eastern Lunette 31
3.5.5 Lake Edge Slope 31
3.5.6 Lake Edge Ridge 31
3.5.7 Back Plains 31
3.5.8 Gilgai Plains 31
3.5.9 Summary 32
3.6 SOILS 32
3.6.1 Hard Pedal Red Duplex Soils 32
3.6.2 Grey, Brown and Red Cracking Clays 33
3.6.3 Soil Loss 33
3.7 ROCK 34
3.8 ANIMAL AND PLANT RESOURCES 34
4 ABORIGINAL LIFE HISTORICAL CONTEXT 35
4.1 SOCIAL ORGANISATION ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE 35
4.2 DAILY LIFE AND RESOURCES 35
5 CHANGING LAND PATTERNS AND PREVIOUS DISTURBANCE OF LAND 38
5.1 LAND CLEARANCE 38
Cowal Gold Mine Extension Modification i
5.2 AGRICULTURAL PLOUGHING 39
5.3 ROAD CONSTRUCTION 39
5.4 FIRE BREAKS 39
5.5 STOCK 39
5.6 RABBITS 39
5.7 HISTORICAL MINING 39
5.8 SUMMARY OF LAND DISTURBANCE IMPACTS 40
6 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT 41
6.1 PREVIOUS STUDIES 41
6.1.1 Inspection and Survey February 2011 42
6.2 REGISTERED SITES AND PREVIOUSLY COLLECTED OBJECTS 43
6.3 OTHER REGISTERS 44
6.4 SITE CONSERVATION 44
6.5 BACKGROUND DISTRIBUTION AT LAKE COWAL 46
6.6 BURIALS 47
7 SITE SURVEY/INSPECTION METHODS 48
7.1 PLANNING 48
7.2 SITE SURVEY/INSPECTION 48
7.3 EXPOSURE, VISIBILITY AND COVERAGE 50
7.3.1 Exposure 50
7.3.2 Visibility 50
7.3.3 Coverage Analysis 51
8 SITE SURVEY RESULTS 53
8.1 CONDITION OF THE SURVEY AREA 53
8.2 SITES AND OBJECTS WITHIN THE MODIFICATION AREA 53
8.2.1 Previously Located and Collected Objects 53
8.2.2 Previously Registered Sites 53
8.2.3 Additional Site - Wamboyne Back Plains Site 1 (43-4-0044) 56
8.2.4 Additional Site - Wamboyne Back Plains Site 2 (43-4-0045) 57
8.2.5 Proposed Pumping Station on the Eastern Shore of Lake Cowal 57
8.2.6 Other Objects Identified during the Survey 59
9 CULTURAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENT 61
9.1 CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE 61
9.1.1 Comments Provided During the Survey 61
9.1.2 Cultural Significance Summary 62
9.2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE 63
10 NATURE OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM THE MODIFICATION 66
10.1 POTENTIAL DIRECT AND INDIRECT IMPACTS 66
10.2 CULTURAL HERITAGE POTENTIALLY IMPACTED BY THE MODIFICATION 66
11 MANAGEMENT AND MITIGATION MEASURES 67
11.1 MANAGEMENT AND CONTINGENCY MEASURES 67
11.1.1 Avoidance of Creek Line and Wamboyne Back Plains Site 2 67
11.1.2 Minimisation of Disturbance 67
11.1.3 Management of Sites B, C, E and Wamboyne Back Plains Site 1 67
11.1.4 Management of Background Distribution 68
11.1.5 Contingency Measures for Burials 68
11.2 INDIGENOUS ARCHAEOLOGY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT
PLAN 68
11.3 SUMMARY RECOMMENDATIONS 69
Cowal Gold Mine Extension Modification ii
12 REFERENCES 71
12.1 LITERATURE CITED 71
12.2 LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES 73

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Record of Attendance at Field Surveys
Table 2 Registered Aboriginal Stakeholder Comments on the Proposed Methodology
Table 3 Summary of AHIMS sites in a Search Area Surrounding the CGM
Table 4 Summary of AHIMS sites within the Modification Area and Surrounds
Table 5 Proximal Locations of Remaining Registered Aboriginal Heritage Sites within
ML 1535
Table 6 Site Survey/Inspection Attendees
Table 7 Visibility Scores
Table 8 Previously Registered Aboriginal Heritage Sites within the Modification Area
Table 9 Raw Materials Identified at Wamboyne Back Plains Site 1
Table 10 Items Identified During 30 April to 3 May 2013 Survey
Table 11 Details of Lithic Items Identified During 30 April to 3 May 2013 Survey
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Regional Location
Figure 2 Cowal Gold Mine Location and Location of Eastern Pump Station
Figure 3 Modification General Arrangement
Figure 4 Previously Recorded Aboriginal Heritage Sites within the Modification Area
Figure 5 Lachlan Basin Catchment Plan
Figure 6 Aboriginal Heritage Sites Located within the Modification Area and Surrounds
Figure 7 Areas Subject to Survey for Modification in Relation to Final Disturbance Layout
Figure 8 Aboriginal Heritage Sites Located within the Eastern Pump Station Location and
Existing Water Pipeline Alignment
LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Cowal Gold Mine Indigenous Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Management Plan
Appendix 2 Consultation Log
Appendix 3 Formal Correspondence to Regulators, Organisations and Registered Aboriginal
Parties
Appendix 4 Formal Correspondence Received from Regulators, Organisations and Registered
Aboriginal Parties
Appendix 5 AHIMS Site Cards
Appendix 6 Sites and Objects Identified During Site Survey/Inspection
Appendix 7 CGM Ground Disturbance Permit
Appendix 8 Ground Disturbance Permit Flow Chart

Cowal Gold Mine Extension Modification iii
1 Introduction

Bio-Anthropology and Archaeology has been engaged by Barrick (Cowal) Limited (Barrick) to
prepare an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (ACHA) for the Cowal Gold Mine (CGM)
Extension Modification (the Modification). The investigation was led by Dr Colin Pardoe
(BSc [University of Toronto], MA [University of Manitoba], PhD [Australian National University]).

The CGM is located approximately 38 kilometres (km) north-east of West Wyalong in New South
Wales (NSW) (Figure 1). Barrick is the owner and operator of the CGM, and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Barrick (Australia Pacific) Limited.

Barrick is seeking approval to modify the Development Consent (DA 14/98) under section 75W of the
NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 (EP&A Act). The Modification includes the
continuation of open cut mining operations at the CGM for an additional operational life of 5 years.
The additional areas that would be disturbed by the Modification are presented in Figures 2 and 3
(i.e. additional areas within Mining Lease [ML] 1535 and the proposed pump station.

The purpose of this ACHA is to identify the presence and significance of Aboriginal cultural heritage
and the Modification’s potential impacts on Aboriginal cultural heritage. Recommended measures to
mitigate possible impacts are outlined as well as contingency measures (Section 11).

The heritage requirements for this study are to:

• identify and consult with registered Aboriginal parties in line with the Draft Guidelines for
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment and Community Consultation (NSW
Department of Environment and Conservation [DEC], 2005) and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Consultation Requirements for Proponents 2010 (NSW Department of Environment, Climate
Change and Water [DECCW], 2010a) (the Consultation Guidelines);
•
determine the location and significance of Aboriginal heritage sites and places within the
Modification area (Sections 7 and 8);
•
determine cultural significance of the Modification area by integrating the results of previous
studies, the archaeological assessment and consultation with relevant Aboriginal parties
(Sections 6 and 7); and
•
provide advice on mitigation of sites, features or objects should the Modification proceed
(Section 11).

1.1 Cowal Gold Mine

Mining operations at the CGM are currently conducted in accordance with Development Consent
(DA 14/98) and the conditions of ML 1535 held by Barrick. The CGM operates 24 hours per day,
7 days per week.

The current open pit mining operations are supported by on-site facilities including water management
infrastructure/storages, a process plant and tailings storage facilities. Mined waste rock from the open
pit is hauled to waste rock emplacements. Ore mined from the open pit is hauled direct to the primary
crusher (adjacent the process plant), run-of-mine pad or low grade ore stockpile prior to processing.

Cowal Gold Mine Extension Modification 1